Sacramento Valley, CA History


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Amador County
 
�Amador is one of the smallest counties in California, its total area being only 
601 square miles.  Yet it is one of the most prominent mineral counties of 
California, the total annual value of its mineral output being over $3,000,000.
 
�Foothill and mountain lands make up the county.  Its western boundary touches 
Sacramento County in the rolling grounds of the low foothills.  Its north and 
south boundaries are marked by the Cosumnes and the Mokelumne River respectively 
and its eastern line extends to the 7000 foot level of the Sierra Nevada 
Mountains.
 
�The soil of Amador is rich and productive.  It is alluvial in character in many 
of the small and fertile valleys.  In the mineral belt rich red lands 
predominate and in the upper foothill sections it is of decomposed granite.  
These lands will produce all kinds of deciduous fruits and are particularly 
adapted to the culture of pears and prunes up to the 2500 foot level and for 
apples in still higher altitudes.
 
�The climate of Amador County is like that of all the foothill sections of the 
Sacramento Valley.  The rainy season commences in October and ends in May.  The 
annual precipitation at Ione, which has an elevation of 287 feet, varies from 15 
to 30 inches in a season.  The precipitation increases as higher elevations are 
reached.  The temperature in Summer at times reaches 100 degrees, but the 
atmosphere is dry and the heat is not oppressive.  Cool evenings are the rule.
 
�There never has been a failure of any crop suited to Amador�s soil and climatic 
conditions.  All lines of farming are followed and the agricultural and 
horticultural products are increasing the county�s wealth.  There is plenty of 
opportunity for further extending the great industry of husbandry.  Land is 
cheap and there is ample water available for irrigation.
 
�All crops find a ready market.  Many of the growers devote their attention to 
supplying local markets in the mining districts.  There is plenty of opportunity 
for developing profitable markets beyond the borders of the county.
 
�The county is at present a heavy producer of cereals.  Wheat, barley, oats and 
corn are all grown profitably.  Much alfalfa and grain hay is also produced.
 
�The horticultural products of Amador include practically all the fruits grown 
in the Sacramento Valley.  The full list includes apples, apricots, plums and 
prunes, pears, grapes, peaches and nectarines, oranges, lemons, olives, figs, 
almonds, English walnuts and cherries.
 
�Truck gardens are found in all the fertile little valleys and the owners find 
the mining towns profitable markets for their crops of vegetables and fruit.
 
�Stock raising is followed extensively.  The foothills and mountain plateaus 
afford excellent pasturage the year round.
 
�Numerous streams cross the county from east to west, supplying ample water for 
mining operations and electric power development.  Water is plentiful for 
irrigation but this valuable resource has yet not yet been taken advantage of.  
One of the great power plants of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company is located 
at Electra, and here is developed 33,000 horse power of electricity, which is 
sent over long distance transmission lines to Stockton, San Jose and the cities 
surrounding San Francisco Bay.
 
�While the county has soil and climatic conditions that are favorable to the 
development of horticultural and agricultural resources, it is the mineral 
wealth that has made the name Amador famous.  The Mother Lode, or great mineral 
belt of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, crosses the county from north to south for 
a distance of about twenty miles.  Mining has been followed without interruption 
since 1848, and millions of dollars have been produced.  Gold, silver and copper 
are extracted from the earth.
 
�During recent years with the introduction of modern scientific methods, deep 
mining is followed extensively.  Some of the best paying properties in the State 
are now being developed.
 
�Amador is one of the leading gold producing counties of California and its 
output is entirely from deep quartz mines.  In this county are located some of 
the richest and deepest quartz mines in the world.  The Kennedy mine at Jackson 
is operated at a vertical depth of 3900 feet, and is the deepest gold mine in 
the United. States.  It is equipped with a 100-stamp mill and employs steadily 
about 400 men.
 
�Directly south of the Kennedy Mine is the Argonaut, another large producer.  
This property is operated at a depth of 4600 feet on an incline, with a vertical 
depth of about 3000 feet.  This mine is equipped with a 40-stamp mill and 
employs about 250 men.  Its monthly production averages $60,000.
 
�North of these two mines at Sutter Creek are the South Eureka and Central 
Eureka Mines.  The South Eureka is operated by electricity and its underground 
workings reach a depth of 2600 feet.  It has an eight-stamp mill and employs 300 
men.  It produces $50,000 in gold a month.
 
�Further north are the Keystone, Original Amador, Bunker Hill and Fremont mines, 
all steady producers.  At the northern boundary of the county is the Plymouth 
Consolidated.  This is one of the oldest mines in California.  It was a heavy 
producer in early days, but remained idle for a period of thirty years.  Within 
the past two years it has been newly equipped with the latest machinery and is 
to-day operating on a large scale, with prospects of producing heavier in the 
future than in the past, even though it has produced more than $2,000,000.
 
�An excellent grade of potter�s clay is found in Amador County near Ione, and is 
shipped in large quantities.  Coal is also mined at Carbondale, and lime, marble 
and building stone exist in large quantities.
 
�The principal towns are Jackson, the county seat, Sutter Creek, Amador City, 
Drytown, Plymouth, Pieta, Volcano and Ione.
 
�A branch railroad which connects with the main line of the Southern Pacific 
Company at Galt, in Sacramento County, affords transportation facilities to the 
principal mining and agricultural centers.
 
�With a population of only about 10,000 Amador offers excellent opportunities to 
the farmer, the miner and the cattleman.�